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March 3, 1964 R. G. oLsoN 3,123,270

PRESS FEED MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19, 1962 LEARN@ ww NWT! www WN N NN www# ww m@ El www M m6. E w am@ mm d hw om, W REN- mm, WNbEMNN. Nv! www. RN n March 3, 1964 R. G. OLSON 3,123,270

PRESS FEED MECHANISM Filed April 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WMV I NVEN TOR.

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United States Patent O 3,123,270 PRESS FEED MECHANISM Raymond G. Olson, Niles, lll., assignor to Power Control Products, Inc., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 188,699 14 Claims. (Cl. 226-141) This invention relates generally to press feed mechanisms and more particularly to a pneumatic feed mechanism for a press such as a punch press.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel arrangement of a pneumatic press feed mechanism for accurately delivering strip stock to a press.

-lt is a further object to provide a novel arrangement of a pneumatic press feed mechanism for accurately delivering relatively short lengths of strip stock to and through the die area of a press.

It is another object to provide a novel arrangement in a press yfeed mechanism according to the preceding paragraphs for accurately delivering a relatively short length of strip stock in increments to and through the die area of a press.

It is still another object to provide novel means in a press feed mechanism of the foregoing paragraphs for accurately delivering the extreme end portions of the strip stock to the die area of a press for working thereof.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent upon a perusal of the following specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan View of the press feed mech- :mism of the subject invention applied to a punch press;

AFIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged View of a portion of the structure shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged View showing the remainder of the structure shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional View of a portion of the structure shown in FIGURE 3 and taken substantially along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross sectional View of the structure shown in FIGURE 3 and taken substantially along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in -FlGURE 3 and taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the cylinder valve arrangement at the extending end thereof shown in FIGURE 2.

The present embodiment is the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that changes can be made in the present embodiment by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Generally, the press feed mechanism of the subject invention comprises a jaw and channel assembly or section, and a cylinder and valve assembly or section. The jaw and channel assembly and the cylinder and valve assembly are bolted together in an end-to-end relationship by certain means including yfour tie rods which provide for accurate alignment and cooperation between the various elements of the invention in a simple arrangement which permits easy assembly thereof. The jaw and channel assembly is arranged at the rod end of the cylinder and includes a circular recess in one end of the assembly and an O-ring carried in that recess for sealing the rod end of the cylinder. The valve is arranged at the head end of the cylinder and also includes a circular recess in one portion thereof with an O-ring disposed therein for sealing the head end of the cylinder. The valve further includes an internal passageway for deice 2 livering air directly to the head end of the cylinder. The end of the jaw and channel assembly which seals the rod end of the cylinder also includes means for sealing the piston rod of the cylinder against air leakage, and is further provided with a passageway for delivering air to the rod end of the cylinder.

The jaw and channel assembly lis carried by a bolster bracket and adjustment block arrangement over the bed of a punch press and through the die area thereof. The bolster bracket and adjustment block arrangement may be secured at any position along a substantial portion of the length of the jaw and channel assembly. The jaw and channel assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart U-shaped channel members which carries the stationary and moving jaws of the feed mechanism. The stationary and moving jaws are formed to be open at one end thereof, and because of the lack of any interference :from the rest of the feed mechanism with the open end of the jaws, the feed mechanism of the subject invention can carry strip stock of a width substantially greater than the length of the jaws. The jaws are four in number, there being two stationary jaws and two movable jaws. A tubular member is carried longitudinally of and within the conlines of each of the channel members. The base portion of each movable jaw is provided with a hole formed transversely therethrough at each end thereof thereby permitting the movable jaws to slide on the tubular members and within the channel members. One of the tubular members is adapted to carry air to both stationary jaws for operation thereof.- The stationary jaws are secured within the channel members intermediate the ends of the channel members. The stationary jaws are spaced apart a distance slightly more than the width of the die area of the punch press. AOne of the movable jaws is carried within the channel members between one stationary jaw and the cylinder end oi the jaw and channel assembly. The piston rod of the air cylinder is connected to that movable jaw for reciprocating movement thereof. The other movable jaw is slidably carried within the channel members between the other stationary jaw and the extreme forward end of the jaw and channel assembly. In the present embodiment the second movable jaw is connected to the first by an extension of the piston rod which is journaled through the base portions of the stationary jaws and extends through the die area.

Air for operating the movable jaws is delivered to the movable jaws in the present embodiment by a tubular member which extends through the rear-ward end of the jaw and channel assembly, through the lirst movable jaw, through the base portions of the stationary jaws and the die area, to a connection with the second movable jaw. The end of the tubular member which extends outwardly of the ja-w and channel assembly is connected by a coupling to a ilexible air line, the other end of which is connected to the valve assembly.

The invention further contemplates a construction wherein the center portion of the die area is straddled by the piston rod and the tubular member which delivers air to the movable jaws. The portion of the piston rod extending between the movable jaws may be moved substantially to one side of lthe jaw and channel assembly adjacent one of the channel members. The portion of the tubular member which delivers air to the movable ja-Ws and which extends between the movable jaws may be moved to the other side of the jaw and channel assembly adjacent the other channel member. Such an arrangement provides a substantially open area about the center of the die area, that open die area being dened by the sides of the stationary jaws and the portions of the piston rod and tubular member extending between those stationary jaws.

The stroke of the movable jaws is adjusted by a stroke adjustment bar which is canried on the tubular members and within the channel members. The stroke adjustment bar is secured at :any selected position tothe tubular members -by a clamping arrangement which is particularly shown in FIGURE 7.

A poppet valu/e is-cannied on the jaw and channel assembly in a position such .that slightly before the piston of the cylinder reaches its outwardmost position and inengagement with' a bumper provided in the cylinder, the outer surface of the coupling of the connection of the tubular member which delivers air to the movable jaws and the flexible air line will operate the poppet valve. That pioppet valve cooperates with another poppet valve or other means controlled by the operation of the punch press `for controlling the reciprocating movements of the movable jaws.

Strip stock is delivered from a suit-able source to the rearward end of the subject invention, and initially passes over the cylinder `and valve assembly. The strip stock then passes over the stroke adjustment bar through the first movable jaw. After passing between the upper portion and base portion of the first movable jaw, the strip stock passes through the upper portion and base portion of the first stationary jaw and thence through the die area of the punch press. The strip stock then passes through the upper and base portions of the second stationary jaw and the second movable jaw respectively.

The clamping and releasing movements of the various jaws are correlated to the reciprocating movements olf the movable jaws and the operation of the punch press by the valve assembly the the rearward end of the air cylinder. A valve assembly of `any suitable construction known in the art which will perform the desired functions thereof may be used.

'Iihe operation of the subject invention may be generally described by beginning with the operated position of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 and by assuming that the leading end of a length of strip stock is carried by the first movable jaw and stationary jaw but has not as yet entered the die area. Further assuming that the first stationary jaw is engaged to grip the leading end of the strip stock, the first movable jaw will be released and will be delivered to the air cylinder to move the first movable jaw toward engagement with the stroke adjustment bar. As the first movable jaw is moved toward the stroke adjustment bar, the second mov-able jaw will be moved toward the second stationary jaw. After the first movable jaw engages the stroke adjustment bar and is stopped at that position, the first movable jaw will be operated to securely grip the strip stock `and the first stationary jaw will be released. The second movable and stationary jaws will follow the movements of the first movable and stationary jaws, so that as the first movable jaw is operated, the second movable jaw is operated and las the first stationary jaiw is released the second stationary jaw is released. The next operation is an extension of the air cylinder to move the first movable jaw toward the die area, the second movable jaw contemporaneously therewith being moved away from the second stationary jaw. This operation of the invention will `cause a certain incremental portion of the strip stock to be pushed by the first movable jaw through the released `first stationary jaw and into the ydie area. When the first movable jaw en- `gages lthe rst stationary jaw at the forward limit `of movement of the first movable jaw, the extreme leading end of the strip stock will be within the die area of the punch press for working thereof by the die of the punch press. After the oper-ation ofthe punch press, the first stationary jaw will again be operated and the first movable jaw will be released.l The above described cycle will be continuously repeated to advance the strip stock through the die area for repeated work thereon by the die of the punch press. When the leading end of the strip stock reaches the second stationary jaw, that stationary jaw will operate 4 to grip and release the strip sto-ck `conternporaneously with the first stationary jaw. When the leading end of the strip stock has been advanced sufficiently to enter between the upper `and bia-se portions of Vthe second movable jaw, that. second movable jaw will grip and release the strip stock. contemponaneonsly with the first movable jaw. Thus it may be seen that the intermediate portions of the strip stock will be advanced incrementally through the die area by both movable and stationary jaws. When the trailing end of the strip stock is .advanced to the extent that the first'nrovable jaw no longer grips and releases the trailing end, solely the seco-nd movable jaw will cause |the further advance of the strip stock through the die area. IFrom the foregoing it may be seen that the extreme trailing end of the strip stock will be completely incrementally carried throngh the die area by the second movable and stationary jaws upon the clearing of the first stationary `and movable jaws by the trailing end of the strip stock. The present invention thus provides a novel arrangement `for completely working a length of strip stock.

in detail, the press feed mechanism of the subject invention comprises a jaw and channel assembly indicated generally at lil, and a cylinder `and valve assembly indicated `generally at lll.

The jaw and channel assembly lil comprises a pair of U-shaped channel membens l2, la rear `plate 11.3, a forward plate it, a first movable jaw l5, a second movable jaw llo, a first stationary jaw 17, la second stationary jaw i3, a bolster bracket 19, a pair of adjustment blocks 2t), a stroke adjustment bar lassembly 2l, `a tubular member 22, and a Itubular member 23. The rearward end of each 0f the channel members l2 is secured to one end off the rear plate 113 by yfasteners The forward end of each of the ychannel members l?. is secured to one end of the forward plate 14 by fasteners 25. The tubular members 22 and 23am each carried within the confines of one of the `channel members l2, and the rearward end of each of the tubular members 22; land 2.3)` extends through the rear plate '13 and is secured thereto by a fastener or nut 26. rllhe forward end of each tubular member 22. and 23 extends through the forwand plate 1.4 and is secured thereto by `a `fastener or nut Z7. The tubular member 22 is adapted to pany air to` the stationary jaws 17 and l, and. `is provided with an condruit 23 connected to the rearward end thereof. As the tubular member Z3 is not used for the delivering of air, that tubular member may be formed of a solid rod material.

The stationary jaws i7' and lid and the movable jaws i5 and. lo are substantially similar in construction, fering primarily in the arrangement for delivering air thereto. The cross sectional view of the movable jaw l5 shown in FlGURE 6, and the hereinafter following description thereof are sufficient for an understanding of the construction of the-other jaws of the invention. The; base portion of the movable jaw l5, indicated at 3f@ in; FIGURES 5 and 6 has reduced portions at each end", thereof which extend into the confines of the channel members l2. Those reduced portions are each provided. with a hole therethrough in which a bushing Si is car-- ried', and the tubular members 22 and 23 extend through those bushings 3l in a freely sliding relationship. The: tubular members 22 and 23 extend through comparable holes in the base portions of the stationary jaws i7 and l, although no bushings are therein provided.

The upper surface of the base portion 3h of the movable jaw l5 is provided with a relatively shallow depression or cavity 32 which extends longitudinally centrally of the base portion 3i?. The depression is covered by an elastomer sheet 33. The elastomer sheet may be formed of any material such as rubber or neoprene. A plate 3d is secured to the upper surface of the base porlon by screws 5S which extend through the plate 3ft and are threaded into suitable holes in the base portion 3f). The plate 34 is provided with a substantially rec-- tangular opening formed therethrough and positioned substantially longitudinally centrally thereof. The opening in the plate 34 is slightly larger than the length and width of the depression 32. A piston member 36 is positioned in the opening of the plate 34 and rests upon the elastomer sheet 33. The piston member 36 has a thickness slightly greater than the thickness of the plate 34, and a length and width substantially equal to the length and width of the opening of the plate 34. A tubular member 37 is provided for delivering air under pressure to the depression 32 in the base portion 30 of the movable jaw 15. The tubular member 37 extends through the base portion 30 and is connected by an obvious opening into the depression 32. As may be seen in FIGURES l and 3, the tubular member 37 extends from a position rearwardly of the rearward plate 13, through the rearward plate 13, over the stroke adjustment bar 21, through the base portion 30 of the movable jaw 15, through the base portions of the stationary jaws 17 and 18, and into the base portion of the movable jaw 16. In passing through the stationary jaws 17 and 18, the tubular member 37 does not make an air connection with the depressions formed in the base portions thereof. Thus it may be seen that if air under pressure is delivered to the tubular member 37, that air will act against the underside of the elastomer sheet 33 in the movable jaw 15 and the comparable elastomer sheet in the movable jaw 16, to apply a lifting force on the piston member 36 of the movable jaw 15 and the comparable piston member of the movable jaw 16. The piston member 36 may be formed of various materials dependent upon the particular type of strip stock being worked. A common material for the piston member 36 is hardened steel, although when working highly polished strip stock a material such as nylon may be used.

The movable jaw 15 further comprises an upper jaw portion 4@ against which the piston member 36 may i react in clamping a strip stock, as strip stock 41, therebetween. The upper jaw portion 4t? is substantially U- shaped in cross section and is secured at one end thereof to the base portion 3i? by a plurality of bolts 42. The bolts 42 which may be formed with depressions therein to receive an Allen type wrench are positioned through the upper jaw portion 4d, through a number of shirns 43, and are threaded into the base portion 3i). The number of shims 43 are varied in accordance with the thickness of the strip stock 41 to provide free passage of the strip stock 41 between the upper jaw portion 4t) and the piston member 36 when substantially no air pressure is applied to the piston 36, and such that the strip stock 41 will be securely clamped between the piston member 36 and the upper jaw portion 4i) when air under pressure is delivered to the depression 32. The end of the upper jaw portion 4b opposite from that carrying the bolts 42 is not secured to the base portion 39, thereby permitting the movable jaw 15 to accept strip stock of a substantially greater width than the length of the jaw.

it has previously been noted that the other jaws 16, 17 and 1S are substantially similar in construction to the movable jaw 15. The stationary jaws 17 and 18 primarily difer in construction from the movable jaws 15 and 16 in the manner in which the stationary jaws 17 and 18 receive air under pressure for operation thereof. The base portions of the stationary jaws 17 and 18 are journaled on the tubular members 22 and Z3, and the reduced end portions thereof extend within the contines of the channel members 12. A plurality of bolts 45 secure the stationary jaws 17 and 1S to the channel members 12 in a spaced apart relationship to each other sufficient to span a die area such as indicated at 46 of a punch press such as indicated at 47. Additional holes for the bolts 45 may be provided in the channel members 12 to permit selective positioning of the stationary jaws 17 and 18 on each side of diferent sized die areas. Short passageways 48 are formed in the base portions of the stationary jaws 17 and 18 to connect the depressions therein in free air communication with the tubular member 22. Thus it may be seen that when air under pressure is delivered to the tubular member 37, both movable jaws 15 and 16 are operated, and when air under pressure is delivered to the tubular member 22, both stationary jaws 17 and 1S are operated.

The bolster bracket 19 and the adjustment block 20 provide the means for adjustably carrying the feed mechanism of the subject invention in cooperation with the punch press 47, and specifically the die area 46 thereof. The bolster bracket 19 comprises a pair of angle members 50 connected in a spaced apart relationship to each other by a cross piece 51 to form an integral assembly. One depending leg of each angle member 50 is provided with a hole therethrough for carrying a bolt 52. The bolster of the punch press 47 is tapped to receive the bolts 52 so that the bolster bracket 19 may be secured to the punch press 47. The other leg of each angle member 50 extends substantially horizontally and those other legs are spaced apart a distance suflicient to receive the channel members 12 thereon in a position such as shown in FIGURE 5. The adjustment blocks 20 are substantially L-shaped having one leg thereof extending over the upper surface of the channel members 12. The adjustment blocks 20 are secured to the horizontally extending legs of the angle members 50 by a pair of bolts 53. The bolts 53 have end portions adapted to receive an Allen type wrench, and the holes through the adjustment blocks 2t) which receive the bolts 53 are countersunk to provide a minimum projection of the bolts 53 above the upper surface of the adjustment blocks 20. The adjustment blocks 20 will frictionally secure the channel members 12 therebetween and against the horizontally extending legs of the angle members 5@ to substantially horizontally align the plane of the jaw and channel assembly 10 over the bolster of the punch press 47 and through the die area 46 thereof. By loosening the bolts 53, the channel members 12 may easily be moved longitudinally to accurately position the stationary jaws 17 and 18 on each side of the die area 46. This simple arrangement provides for accurate alignment of the strip stock to the dies of the punch press.

The remaining element of the jaw and channel assembly 10 is the stroke adjustment bar assembly 21 which is shown in side elevation in FIGURE 7. The end portions of the stroke adjustment bar 21 are slightly reduced and are provided with holes therethrough permitting the stroke adjustment bar 21 to be slidably carried on the tubular members 22 and 23 with the reduced end portions within the contines of the channel members 12. In order to adjustably secure the stroke adjustment bar 21 to the tubular members 22 and 23, the stroke adjustment bar 21 is formed with a pair of slots 56. Each of the slots 56 extends from one of the holes carrying the tubular members 22 or 23 on a curve toward the center of the bar 21 and upwardly to terminate on the upper surface thereof as may be seen in FIGURES l and 3. Sufficient metal is removed from the slots S6 so that when the slots are closed, the walls of the holes carrying the tubular members l22 and 23 will firmly and securely engage the outer surface of the tubular members 22 and 23 to maintain the stroke adjustment bar 21 effectively locked thereon. The slots 56 are adjustably closed by a pair of screws 57 which are threaded into the stroke adjustment bar 21 from the upper surface thereof and through the slots 56, as in FIGURE 7. Thus it may be seen that by loosening the screws 5'7, the stroke adjustment bar may be slid along the tubular members 22 and 23 to any desired position and locked at the selected position by appropriate tightening of the screws 57.

The stroke adjustment bar 21 functions to limit the return or rearward movement of the movable jaws 15 and 16 at some selected position by the engagement of the stroke adjustment bar 21 by one side of the movable jaw l5. T he side of the stroke adjustment bar 2l which faces the movable jaw l5 is provided with a Vernier adjustment assembly 5% which is shown in enlarged detail in FEGURE 3. The Vernier adjustment assembly 58 comprises a bushing member 66 which is threaded into an opening in the stroke adjustment bar 2l substantially' longitudina ly centrally thereof. The Vernier adjustment assembly 53 further comprises a lock nut 6]. which is threaded on the bushing 66 and which is used to lock the bushing in any selected threaded position in the stroke adjustment bar 2l. The piston rod 62 extends through the Vernier adjustment assembly S6 and the stroke adjustment bar 2l. ln the use of the stroke adjustment bar 2l, the return stroke of the movable jaws l5 and f6 is approximately adjusted by securing the stroke adjustment bar 2l at some selected position along the tubular members 22 and 23. After the stroke adjustment bar 2l is locked in position, the lock nut 6l may be loosened, and the bushing 6@ threaded either inwardly or outwardly of the stroke adjustment bar 2li to hnely limit the return stroke of the movable jaws l5 and 16. A tightening of the lock nut 6l completes the adjustment of the return stroke of the movable jaws l5 and i6.

rhe stroke adjustment bar 2l is further provided with a notch 63 in the upper surface thereof for clearance between the tubular member 37 and the stroke adjustment bar 2l.

The cylinder and valve assembly l1 is secured to the rear plate 13 of the jaw and channel assembly l0 and extends rearwardly therefrom in a substantially horizontal direction. The cylinder and valve assembly l1 cornprises an air cylinder arrangement 65 and a valve assembly 66.

ri` he cylinder 67 of the air cylinder arrangement 65 is closed at the rod end thereof by the rear plate 13 of the jaw and channel assembly l@ and at the head end thereof by the valve assembly 66. Sealing of the cylinder 67 at the rod end thereof is accomplished by forming a circular recess in the rear plate 13 of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cylinder 67 and placing an O-ring 68 in the inner end of that recess. The sealing arrangement for the head end of the cylinder 67 is accomplished in a similar manner. As may be seen in FIG- URE 8, the valve assembly 66 is somewhat T -shaped The upwardly extending portion of the valve assembly 66 is formed with a circular recess therein substantially of a diameter of the cylinder 67, and an O-ring 70 is positioned in that recess. ln the assembly and sealing of the cylinder 67, the rod end thereof is inserted in the recess of the rear plate l and against the O-ring 63 and the valve assembly 66 is mounted on the head end of the cylinder 67 with the cylinder extending into the recess thereof and against the O-ring 76. This assembly is integrally connected as a unit by four tie rods '71 which may be seen in FlGURES l and 2. The rear plate 13 of the jaw and channel assembly lll is provided with four threaded holes equally spaced about the periphery of the recess formed therein, and one end of each of the tie rods 7l is threaded into one of those holes. The upwardly extending portion of the valve assembly 66 is also provided with four holes therethrough which are equally spaced about the periphery of the recess therein, and the rearward ends of the tie rods 7l are extended through those holes and slightly rearwardly of the valve assembly 656. Four nuts '72 are threaded on the rearwardly extending ends of the tie rods '7l to securely integrally connect the jaw and channel assembly lll and the cylinder and valve assembly ll as a unit and to seal the rod and head ends of the cylinder 67. The O-rings 66 and 7d will effectively prevent any air leakage from either the rod end or head end of the air cylinder 67. rhe portions of the tie rods il extending between the rear plate l and the valve assembly 66 are of slightly larger diameters then the end portions which extend into those members. This formation of the tie rods 7l pro- 8 vides shoulders which will accurately align the planes of the recesses in the rear plate i3 and the valve assembly 66 parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 67.

The air cylinder assembly 65 further comprises a piston assembly of a piston head 74 and the piston rod 62. The piston head 74 may be of any suitable construction lmown in the art and is secured to one end of the piston rod 62 within the cylinder 67. The piston rod extends through a packing assembly '75 which is carried in a suitable opening in the rear plate l. The rod side of the piston head 74 or the packing assembly 75 may be formed to include a bumper to absorb any shocks produced when the piston head 74 bottoms against the rear plate i3. As previously noted, the piston rod 62 extends through the Vernier adjustment assembly .'53 of the stroke adjustment bar 2l. The piston rod 62 further extends through the base portion 36 of the movable jaw l5 as may be seen in FIGURE 6. The movable jaw l5 is fixed to the piston rod 62 by any suitable means. ln the present embodiment the piston rod 62 on each side of the movable jaw l5 is provided with a pair of annular grooves, and a pair of snap rings 77 are inserted in those annular grooves to lock the movable jaw l5 to the piston rod 62. A suitable bumper S is carried on the piston rod 62 against the side of the movable jaw l5 facing the stroke adjustment bar 2l to cushion the engagement of the movable jaaI with the Vernier adjustment assembly 53 of the stroke adjustment bar 2l.

The piston rod 62 further extends from the movable jaw l5 through suitable openings in the base portions of the stationary jaws 17 and 18 and through the base portion of the movable jaw i6. The openings through the base portions of the stationary jaws i7 and are provided with bushings 6l) which permit the piston rod 62 to freely reciprocate through the stationary jaws 17 and l. The extreme forward end of the piston rod 62 is provided with a nut or fastener Sl which secures the movable jaws lr6 on the forward end of the piston rod 62 for movement of the movable jaw 16 responsive to reciprocating movements of the piston rod 62. The piston rod 62 has a length such that the distance between movable jaw i6 and the stationary jaw 13, and the distance between the movable jaw it and the stroke adjustment bar 2l when the stroke adjustment bar 2l is in its rearwardmost position, are at least as great as the stroke of the piston head 74 in the cylinder 67. It may be noted that on the return or retracting stroke of the air cylinder assembly 65, the movable jaw lr6 is moved toward the stationary jaw 1S while the movable jaw is moved toward the stroke adjustment bar 2l, and on the forward or extending stroke of the air cylinder assembly 65, the movable jaw l6 is moved away from the stationary jaw l toward the forward plate la while the movable jaw is moved toward the stationary jaw lt'.

rl`he air cylinder assembly 65 is operated to extend and retract the piston rod 62 thereorC by alternately connecting the rod and head ends of the cylinder 67 to a source of air under pressure and an exhaust line. Air is admitted to the rod end of the cylinder 67 through a passageway S3 formed through the rear plate l as may be seen in HG- URE 4'. Air is admitted to the head end of the cylinder 67 by a passageway 84 formed through the valve assembly 66, as may be seen in FlG" RES 4 and 8. The passageway S3 is connected by a suitable air conduit to the valve assembly 66.

The operation of the air cylinder assembly 65 must be correlated to the operations of the stationary jaws 17 and 18 and the movable jaws l5 and E6, and any suitable type of valve assembly 66 known in the art which will provide for proper operation of the air cylinder assembly 65', the movable jaws l5 and E16, and the stationary jaws t7 and lill may be used. A suitable valve is shown and described in the application of Howard W. Ronfeidt, for Press Feed Mechanism, Serial No. 179,939, filed March l5, 1962. A

number of air conduits such as air conduits 85, 86, 87 and 3S are shown as connected to the valve assembly 66. A further conduit 9i) is shown in FIGURES l and 4 as connected to a poppet valve 91. It is intended that the conduit 96, the conduit 23 which delivers air to the stationary jaws 17 and 1S, and the conduit 37 which delivers air to the movable jaws 15 and 16 be connected into the valve assembly 66. The poppet valve 91 is operated by the coupling on the rearward end of the tubular member 37 when the movable jaws 15 and 16 are in their forwardmost position with the piston head 74 engaging the rod end of the air cylinder assembly 65. Another control element (not shown) operated by the punch press is provided for transmitting a control signal to the valve assembly 66 to initiate the forward stroke of the air cylinder assembly 65 and the movable jaws 15 and 16. Under the control of the punch press and the poppet valve 91, the valve assembly 66 must operate to operate the stationary jaws 17 and 18 alternately with the movable jaws 15 and 16 immediately before the beginning of either the forward or return strokes of the air cylinder assembly 65. For example, assuming a length of strip stock is disposed within the movable jaws 15 and 16 and the stationary jaws 17 and 1S, and that those jaws are positioned such as shown in FlGURE l, the valve assembly 66 must cause air to be delivered to conduit 28 to operate the stationary jaws 17 and 18 while exhausting any air under pressure from the movable jaws 15 and 16. Air under pressure then must be admitted to the rod end of the air cylinder assembly 65 while the head end thereof is connected to exhaust to cause the movable jaws 15 and 16 to be moved on a return stroke toward the stroke adjustment bar 21. Upon engaging the stroke adjustment bar 21, and upon an appropriate control signal from the punch press, the valve assembly 66 must operate to cause air under pressure to be delivered to the tubular member 37 to operate the movable jaws 15 and 16 while exhausting air from conduit 2S to release the stationary jaws 17 and 1S, and immediately thereafter admitting air under pressure to the head end of the air cylinder assembly 65 while exhausting air from the rod end thereof to cause a forward movement of the movable jaws 15 and 16. The movable jaws 15 and 16 in moving forwardly will advance the strip stock through the die area 46 until the piston head 74 again bottoms on the rod end of the cylinder 67. With the bottoming of the piston head 74, the poppet valve 91 is again operated, and the valve assembly 66 must respond to the operation of the poppet valve 91 to repeat the cycle of operating the stationary jaws, releasing the movable jaws 15 and 16, and moving the movable jaws 15 and 16 in a return stroke toward the stroke adjustment bar 21. By the aforedescribed operations, a length of strip stock will be accurately and completely incrementally advanced through the die area 46. Because of the need for operating the jaws before the air cylinder assembly 65, the valve assembly of the noted Ronfeldt device is particularly applicable. That valve assembly is of the dual type with time delay means insuring jaw operation before cylinder operation.

To aid the movable jaw 16 and the stationary jaw 18 in receiving the leading end of any strip stock being advanced through the feed mechanism of the subject invention, two pairs of strip stock guides 94 are provided. The stock guides 94 are substantially V-shaped in cross section. One side of one of the guide members 94 is secured to the rearward side of the upper jaw portion of the movable jaw 16 by fasteners 95. The other side of that stock guide defines a surface inclined downwardly and inwardly to the opening between the upper and base portions of the movable jaw 16. Another stock guide 94 is secured to the base portion of the movable jaw d6 to define an inclined surface directed upwardly and inwardly to the opening between the upper and base portions of the movable jaw 16. The second pair of stock guides 94 is carried on the rearward side of the stationary jaw 18 in a mounting arrangement similar to that described for the movable jaw 16. Thus it may be seen that when the leading end of a length of strip stock leaves the die area 46 that leading end lwill be directed by the pair of guides 94 through the jaw opening of the stationary jaw 18, and when the movable jaw 16 is moved toward the leading end of a length of strip stock which is extending forwardly of the stationary jaw 18, the stock guides 94 will direct the leading end of the strip stock through the opening between the upper and base portions of the movable jaw 16.

Having described the invention, what is considered new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. A feed mechanism for incrementally delivering stock to a press comprising, a pair of channel members, a pair of stationary jaws, said pair of stationary jaws being secured in a parallel spaced apart relationship tol each other between said channel members intermediate the ends thereof with the longitudinal axes of said stationary jaws being positioned transversely of said channel members and with the underside of said stationary jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, a pair of movable jaws, one of said movable jaws slidably carried in said channel members on one side of said pair of stationary jaws, the other of said movable jaws slidably carried -in said channel members on the other side of said pair of stationary jaws, said movable jaws further being positioned with the longitudinal axes thereof transversely of said channel members and with the underside of said movable jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, reciprocating air cylinder and piston means secured to one end of said pair of channel members to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of said channel members, said reciprocating air cylinder and piston means being connected to said pair of movable jaws between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members for reciprocating movement of said movable jaws responsive to reciprocating operations of said -air cylinder and piston means, bracket means connectable to a press, said bracket means releasably clamping said channel members therein to substantially horizontally align said feed mechanism immediately over the bed of a press with said pair of stationary jaws positioned on each side of the die area of said press.

2. A feed mechanism for incrementally delivering stock to a press comprising, a pair of channel members, a pair of stationary jaws, said pair of stationary jaws being secured in a parallel spaced apart relationship to each other between said channel members intermediate the ends thereof with the longitudinal axes of said stationary jaws being positioned transversely of said channel members and with the unders-ide of said stationary jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, a pair of movable jaws, one of said movable jaws slidably carried in said channel members on one side of said pair of stationary jaws, the other of said movable jaws slidably carried in said channel members on the other side of said pair of stationary jaws, said movable jaws further being positioned with the longitudinal axes thereof transversely of said channel members and with the underside of said movable jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, stroke limiting means carried in said channel members in an adjustably spaced relationship to one of said movable jaws and between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members, reciprocating air cylinder and piston means secured to one end of said pair of channel members to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of said channel members, said reciprocating air cylinder and piston means being connected to said pair of movable jaws between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members for reciprocating movement of said movable jaws responsive to reciprocating operations of said air cylinder and piston means, bracket means connectable to l l a press, -said bracket means releasably clamping said channel members therein vto substantially horizontally align said feed mechanism immediately over the bed of a press with said pair of stationary jaws positioned on each side of the die area of said press.

3. A feed mechanism for incrementally delivering stock to a press comprising, a pair of channel members, a pair of stationary jaws, said pair of stationary jaws being secured in a parallel spaced apart relationship to each other between said channel members intermediate the ends thereof with the longitudinal axes of said stationary jaws being positioned transversely of said channel members and with the underside of said stationary jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, a pair of movable jaws, one of said movable jaws slidably carried in said channel members on one side of said pair of stationary jaws, the other of said movable jaws slidably c-arried in said channel members on the other side of said pair of stationary jaws, said movable jaws further being positioned with the longitudinal axes thereof transversely of said channel members and with the underside of said ymovable jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, an end plate secured to said pa-ir of channel members at one end thereof, stroke limiting means adjustably carried in said channel members between one of said movable jaws and said end plate and between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members, reciprocating air cylinder and piston means secured to said end plate to extend substantially perpend-icularly therefrom and parallel to the longitudinal axes of said channel members, said reciprocating air cylinder and piston means being connected to said pair of movable jaws between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members for reciprocating movement of said movable jaws responsive to reciprocating operations of said air cylinder and piston means, bracket means connectable to a press, said bracket means releasably clamping said channel members therein to substantially horizontally align said feed mechanism immediately over the bed of a press with said pair of stationary jaws positioned on each side of the die area of said press.

4. In a feed mechanism as defined in claim 3, a valve assembly for operating said air cylinder and piston means carried on said air cylinder and piston means, said air cylinder and piston means and said valve assembly further being positioned substantially below the upper surface of said channel members.

5. In a feed mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein the other of said movable jaws is provided with a stock guide assembly, said stock guide assembly comprising a pair of members mounted on the side of said other movable jaw facing said stationary jaws, said pair of members being formed to dene inclined surfaces converging to the jaw opening of said other movable jaw for directing strip stock through said jaw opening of said other movable jaw.

`6. A feed mechanism for incrementally deliveringV stock to a press comprising, a pair of channel members, a pair of air operated stationary jaws, `said pair of stationary jaws being secured in a parallel spaced apart relationship to each other between said channel members intermediate the ends thereof with the :longitudinal `axes of said stationary jaws being positioned transversely of said channel members and with the underside of said stationary jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, a pair of tubular members, one of the pair of said tubular members being positioned within the confines of each of said channel members and extending through said pair of stationary jaiws, a pair of movable jaws one of said movable jaws slidably carried on said tubular members on one side of said pair of stationary jaws, the other of said movable jaws slidably carried on said tubular members on the other side of said pair of stationary jaws, said movable jaws further being positioned with the longitudinal axes thereof transversely of said channel members and with the underside of said movable jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, reciprocating air cylinder and piston means secured to one end of said pair of channel members to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of said tubular members, said reciprocating air cylinder and piston means being connected to said pair of movable jaws between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members for reciprocating movement of said movable jaws responsive to reciprocating operations of said air cylinder and piston means, bracket means connectable to a press, said bracket means releasably clamping said channel members therein to substantially horizontally align said feed mechanism immediately over the bed of a press with said pair of stationary jaws positioned on each side of the die area of said press.

7. In a feed mechanism as defined in claim 6, wherein one of said tubular members is adapted to deliver air from one end thereof to said pair of stationary jaws for substantially simultaneous operation thereof.

8. A feed mechanism for incrementally delivering stock to a press comprising, `a pair of channel members, a pair of stationary jaws, said pair of stationary jafws being secured in a parallel spaced apart relationship to each other between said channel members intermediate the ends thereof with the longitudinal axes of said stationary jaws being positioned transversely of said channel members and with the underside of said stationary jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, a pair of tubular members, one of the pair of said tubular members positioned within the confines of each of said channel members and extending through said stationary jaws, a pair of movable jaws, one of said movable jaws slidably carried on said pair of tubular members on one side of said pair of stationary jaws, the other of said movable jaws slidably carried on said tubular members on the other side of said pair of stationary jaws, said movable jaws further being positioned with the longitudinal axes thereof transversely of said tubular members and with the underside of said movable jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, stroke limiting means carried on said tubular members in an adjustably spaced relationship to one of said movable jaws and between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members, reciprocating `air cylinder and piston means secured to one end of said pair of channel members to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of said tubular members, said reciprocating air cylinder and piston means being connected to said pair of movable jaws between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members for reciprocating movement of said movable jaws responsive to reciprocating operations of said air cylinder and piston means, bracket means connectable to a press, said bracket means releasably clamping said channel members therein to substantially horizontally align said feed mechanism immediately over the bed of a press with said pair of stationary jaws positioned on each side of the die area of said press.

9. In a feed mechanism as defined in claim 8, air responsive means in each of said stationary jaws for operating said stationary jaws, passageway means connecting said air responsive means in free air communication with one of said tubular members, and one end of said one tubular member being adapted to receive air for operation of said stationary jaws.

10'. A feed mechanism for incrementally delivering stock to a press comprising, a pair of channel members, a pair of air operated stationary jaws, said pair of stationary jaws being secured in a parallel spaced apart relationship to each other between said channel members intermediate the ends thereof with the longitudinal axes of said stationary jaws being positioned transversely of said channel members and with the underside of said stationary jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, an end plate secured to said pair of channel .members at one end thereof, a pair of tubular members, one of the pair of said tubular members positioned within the confines of each of said channel members and extending through said end plate and said stationary jaws, a pair of movable jaws, one of said movable jaws slidably carried on said tubular members on one side of said pair of stationary jaws, the other of said movable jaw-s slidably carried on said tubular members on the other side of said pair of said stationary jaws, said movable jaws further being positioned with the longitudinal axes thereof transversely of said tubular members 'and with the underside of said movable jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, reciprocating air cylinder and piston means secured to said end plate to extend substantially perpendicularly thereto and parallel to the longitudinal axes of said tubular members, said reciprocating 'air cylinder and piston means being connected to said pair of movable jaws between the upper -and lower surfaces of said channel members for reciprocating movement of said movable jaiws responsive to reciprocating operations of said air cylinder and piston means, bracket means connectable to a press, said bracket means releasably clamping said channel members therein to substantially horizontally align said feed mechanism immediately over the bed of a press with said pair of stationary jaws positioned on each side of the die area of said press.

11. In a feed mechanism `as defined in claim and stroke limiting means `adjustably secured to said tubular members between said end plate and one of said movable jaws and between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members.

12. In a feed mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein the end of one of said tubular members extending through said end plate is adapted to receive air under pressure, and air passageway means connecting said one tubular member in air communication with said pair of stationary jaws for substantially simultaneous operation of said stationary jaws responsive to air under pressure delivered to said one tubular member.

13. A feed mechanism for incrementally delivering strip stock to a press comprising, a pair of channel members, a pair of air operated stationary jaws, said pair of stationary jaws being secured in a parallel spaced apart relationship to each other between said channel members intermediate the ends thereof and with the underside of said stationary jaws substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, a iirst end plate secured to said pair of channel memberskat one end thereof to define the forward end of said feed mechanism, a second end plate secured to said pair of channel members at the other end thereof, a pair of tubular members, one of the pair of said tubular members positioned within the connes of each of said channel members 4and extending through said iirst and second end plates and said stationary jaws, a pair of -air operated movable jaws, one of said movable jaws slidably carried on said tubular members between one of said stationary jaws and said iirst end plate, the other of said movable jaws slidably carried on said tubular members between the other of said stationary jaws and said second end plate, said movable jaws being formed with the underside thereof substantially coplanar with the underside of said channel members, reciprocating `air cylinder and piston means secured to said second end plate to exend substantially perpendicularly thereto and parallel to the longitudinal axes of said tubular members, rod means connecting said pair of movable jaws to said reciprocating air cylinder and piston means for simultaneous reciprocating movement of said movable jaws responsive to reciprocating operations of said air cylinder and piston means, said rod means being positioned between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel me.l bers, bracket means connectable to a press, said bracket means releasably clamping said channel members therein to substantially horizontally align said feed mechanism immediately over the bed of `a press with said pair of staitonary jaws positioned on each side of the die area of said press.

14. In a feed mechanism as deiined in claim 13, Wherein one of said tubular members is `adapted to deliver air from one end thereof to said pair of stationary jaws for substantially simultaneous operation thereof, and air conduit means connected to said pair of movable jaws for effecting substantially simultaneous operation thereof, said `air conduit means positioned between the upper and lower surfaces of said channel members.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,379,002 Haller Iune 26, 1945 2,425,994 Chilton Aug. 19, 1947 2,576,114 Hibbard Nov. 27, 1951 2,622,874 Haller Dec. 23, 1952 2,657,046 Tallis Oct. 27, 1953 2,704,087 Lindsay Mar. 15, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 731,939 Great Britain June 15, 1955 

1. A FEED MECHANISM FOR INCREMENTALLY DELIVERING STOCK TO A PRESS COMPRISING, A PAIR OF CHANNEL MEMBERS, A PAIR OF STATIONARY JAWS, SAID PAIR OF STATIONARY JAWS BEING SECURED IN A PARALLEL SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER BETWEEN SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXES OF SAID STATIONARY JAWS BEING POSITIONED TRANSVERSELY OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS AND WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID STATIONARY JAWS SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS, A PAIR OF MOVABLE JAWS, ONE OF SAID MOVABLE JAWS SLIDABLY CARRIED IN SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS ON ONE SIDE OF SAID PAIR OF STATIONARY JAWS, THE OTHER OF SAID MOVABLE JAWS SLIDABLY CARRIED IN SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID PAIR OF STATIONARY JAWS, SAID MOVABLE JAWS FURTHER BEING POSITIONED WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXES THEREOF TRANSVERSELY OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS AND WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID MOVABLE JAWS SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS, RECIPROCATING AIR CYLINDER AND PISTON MEANS SECURED TO ONE END OF SAID PAIR OF CHANNEL MEMBERS TO EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXES OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS, SAID RECIPROCATING AIR CYLINDER AND PISTON MEANS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID PAIR OF MOVABLE JAWS BETWEEN THE UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE JAWS RESPONSIVE TO RECIPROCATING OPERATIONS OF SAID AIR CYLINDER AND PISTON MEANS, BRACKET MEANS CONNECTABLE TO A PRESS, SAID BRACKET MEANS RELEASABLY CLAMPING SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS THEREIN TO SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY ALIGN SAID FEED MECHANISM IMMEDIATELY OVER THE BED OF A PRESS WITH SAID PAIR OF STATIONARY JAWS POSITIONED ON EACH SIDE OF THE DIE AREA OF SAID PRESS. 